Echoes from Birmingham

BWA Women's Leadership Conference
July 23-26, 2005

Baptist World Centenary Congress
July 27-31, 2005

At the beginning were plans. Later some brothers and sisters have taken decisions about place and date. They decided to choose England because 100 years ago the first BWA meeting took place in London. Also women had their own gathering.

Birmingham became the place of the Women's Leadership Conference and Congress of Baptist World Alliance. The dates of these two meetings were July 23-26 and 27-31. Much earlier many people were involved in preparations.

I am very grateful to the Lord for the possibility to be there as one of the over 700 participants of the Women's Conference and one of over 13000 Congress participants.

BWA Women's Leadership Conference
July 23-26, 2005

Ksenija Magda from Croatia introduced the Bible Study concerning "Women's Identity". Through the example of Mary's identity (Jesus' earthly mother) and other passages from the Scripture she helped us see that "Our identity in Christ is to be discovered step by step as we walk on the path of faith."
Dorothy Selebano in her paper on women's identity draw our attention to other, more practical aspects of this issue. She mentioned the role of a Christian woman in the 21st century and how to deal with all the problems, constraints and obstacles confronting us.

Thelma Chambers-Young in response to the presented paper said: "We were created to carry out this work together. As we move toward reclaiming our identity in Christ, we must be bold, and assertive. Like Esther, we must be willing to place all on the altar, to save our people, God's people, both male and female."

Amparo Medina from Colombia, the author of the book: "Free from Violence in the Family" introduced the second Bible Study concerning "Family roles seen in the light of the Bible". She explained through the Scripture about the absence of predetermined roles of men and women. The division of roles happened when man has fallen. The consequences of that reach in our times also Christian environments. But redemption brought unity of the couple, husband and wife, dignity and mutual submission in the Lord and equality in the leadership of the home.

Luis Mitchell from Canada presented a paper on Changing roles in the family. She introduced a rather dark picture of our reality from sociological point of view. And therefore "Women of all cultures have faced many challenges in holding their families together. It's never been easy and we haven't always succeeded." She added also that women in Christ can be strong and invincible.

In response to the paper, Clover Jarrett from Jamaica in conclusion said: "Let us women take time to empower ourselves globally to face the challenges of the future. Let the strong help the weak so that we can reach the finishing line together."

All participants could choose one of the following focus groups: Fresh look at the Scripture; Justice perverted... Justice pursued; Ministry to women in prostitution; Defusing the power of culture... to tell us who we are; Loving my neighbour; Healthy women, healthy world; Children at risk... our response; The feminisation of HIV/AIDS.

The cultural, historical and language diversity of our world Baptist family could be seen by the Continental Union presentation. It is amazing how different we are and also one in the Lord. Through testimonies we could hear how God works in individual women's life and in our ministry.

The drama concerning Day of Prayer History introduced by Welsh sisters recalled us some important points.

During the closing session installation of new officers has taken place. Dorothy Selebano from Republic of South Africa was elected as the Women's Department president for next five years. Donna Groover from USA was elected for the secretary/treasurer position. Both of them are very dedicated and godly women. In one of her speech Dorothy said that the world is sick. There are a lot of people who are in pain, who suffer. So much depends on women and there are a lot of things in their hands. People need Jesus. God wants to use us today. It is important to see God in His creation.
This is a big challenge to all and each of us separately to see the suffering world with new eyes. But first of all it is important to see God with new eyes and to see ourselves with new eyes and than God will help us to see others in new way.

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Baptist World Centenary Congress
July 27-31, 2005

In my opinion the Leadership Conference was splendid prelude to this much bigger event.
"Jesus Christ Living Water" it was the theme of the Congress.

Generally I can say that it was amazing time, when we could experience special fellowship and in spite of the big gathering, meet famous Baptist leaders like Billy Kim, David Coffey, Jimmy Carter, Tony Campolo or Rick Warren. Not only meet but also hear them.

There was a special stream for the hundred of pastors participated at the Congress.
The delegates who liked travels had opportunity to take part at the Mission awareness tour. Everybody could participate at the Festival of the Nations where children, young and adult believers could present cultural and Christian diversity through songs, drama and dancing.

Now it is time to practice received knowledge in our daily life and ministry, in our churches, unions or countries. I cordially encourage you and myself to go back and to remind discovered truth during the Congress and the Leadership Conference. So, don't allow the materials brought from Birmingham be put on the shelves and be covered by dust.

Let a piece of good news that we have heard and learned in Birmingham bring spiritual fruit in our ministry. It is good to remember that in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit we can change the world.